Watch out for moose on the loose during breeding season

According to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division, this is the peak of moose breeding season, and the large animals are most active during early morning and evening hours.

Shortly after the moose are finished, the breeding season for white-tailed deer begins in late October and runs through late December. It is a good idea to be especially vigilant near “deer crossing” signs.

“Motorists are advised to slow down and drive defensively should a deer or moose be spotted on or by the road,” the DEEP says in a press release. “Because moose are darker in color and stand much higher than deer, observing reflective eye-shine from headlights is infrequent and, when struck, moose often end up impacting the windshield of vehicles.”

Moose and deer vehicle collisions should be reported to local, state or DEEP Environmental Conservation Police officers.

“During 2013, approximately 7,300 deer were killed in the state due to collisions with vehicles,” said Rick Jacobson, director of the DEEP Wildlife Division. “A total of 25 moose-vehicle accidents have been reported in Connecticut between 1995 and 2014, with an average of two per year since 2002,” he said, adding that “moose-vehicle accidents are expected to increase as the moose population expands.”

Most of Connecticut is not considered ideal habitat for moose because the landscape is fragmented, roadways have high traffic volume, and moose have large home ranges (approximately 10- to 15 square miles). Residents throughout the state are encouraged to report moose sightings on the DEEP website at ct.gov/deep/wildlife.